Lil’ Jon has inked a deal with Bay area slang master E-40, signing the rapper to his BME Records imprint, which will be distributed by Warner Music.

“We have known each other for a while,” Lil’ Jon told AllHipHop.com. “He came to me and told me he was done with them [Jive]. I was like dope let’s work it out.” Working with Lil’ Jon is something E-40 hopes will lead to the kind of mainstream success that has eluded the colorful character, who is known for regularly introducing new words into the Hip-Hop vernacular. “I turned in my last album with Jive, it’s a best of with like four new songs,” E-40 told AllHipHop.com. “I was thinking of what path I should take. I’m always talking to Jon, so we decided to collaborate.” E-40 said that he left Jive amicably, seeking only to broaden his Hip-Hop horizon. “I had a hell of a deal with Jive,” E-40 said. “I did ten calendars (ten years) with them. I had the best deal in the game for an artist. My time was up. I can’t talk bad about them, because I made a lot of money with them. The amount of money they gave me was like no other, so I have no complaints. But me and Jon have a great relationship.” E-40 just started recording for his new album. Production duties will be handled by Lil’ Jon and critically acclaimed producer, Rick Rock. “I don’t think I can lose with Lil’ Jon and Rick Rock,” he said confidently. “I have the best of both worlds for production on this album. Warner is hungry, we are hungry and it’s going to be great.” The signing of E-40 adds to Warner’s growing Hip-Hop arsenal. In addition to reactivating the Asylum Records label to distribute independent Hip-Hop, Warner has inked deals with DJ Quik, Juvenile, Bumpy Johnson, Lil Wyte, Fraysier Boy and others. “We felt they hadn’t really marketed or promoted his last albums good,” Lil’ Jon said. “I know my team knows what they are doing, so we said ‘let’s do it.’” No release date was available for E-40’s untitiled Sick Wid It/BME/Warner release.